Panicum virgatum plant named ‘Hot Rod’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct, vigorous cultivar of  Panicum virgatum  named ‘Hot Rod’ characterized by an upright growth habit and the development of red purple color in late spring early summer. The early development of color adds early season value as an ornamental.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofSwitchgrass botanically known as Panicum virgatum and hereinafterreferred to by the name ‘Hot Rod’. ‘Hot Rod’ is a new and distinctcultivar found as a chance seedling in summer 2008 at a plant nursery inLancaster, Pa. Asexual propagation in the form of division has provenstable and true to type in successive generations. Although phenotypicvariations may occur depending on environmental factors such as lightintensity, fertility and water there is no change in the plant'sgenotype.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) is a native North American prairie grassoccurring throughout the central and eastern United States. ‘Hot Rod’was selected for its upright growth habit, red foliage, and red seedheads. ‘Hot Rod’ is easily propagated by division and has a vigorous,compact, clumping growth habit. ‘Hot Rod’ has been grown to mature sizeover multiple seasons in Lancaster, Pa.; Pensacola, Fla.; and WestLafayette, Ind.; showing it to be similar to other switchgrasses in itsability to tolerate a wide range of soils and temperatures.

‘Hot Rod’ differs from the species in that it has a blue green basalcolor and develops red foliage; it differs from other known cultivarsthat develop red foliage in that ‘Hot Rod’ develops its red purple colorin late spring/early summer. The early development of color adds earlyseason value as an ornamental.

Table 1 compares the closest known Panicum virgatum cultivars: ‘RR1’U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,944, ‘Prairie Fire’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,367,and ‘Shenandoah’ (unpatented). All three similar cultivars develop redfoliage later in the season when compared to ‘Hot Rod’. ‘Hot Rod’ issmaller in stature than ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Prairie Fire’, but taller than‘RR1’; it also has more erect leaves when compared to ‘RR1’ and‘Shenandoah’.

TABLE 1 Foliage Initial Season of Red Height Growth Foliage ColorCultivar (cm) Habit Color Development ‘Hot Rod’ 90 Upright Blue-greenEarly (May-June) ‘Shenandoah’ 140 Arching Blue-green Late (July-August)‘RR1’ 55 Upright Blue-green Mid (July) ‘Heavy Metal’ 130 UprightBlue-green None ‘Prairie Fire’ 100 Upright Blue-green Mid (July)‘Rotstrahlbusch’ 110 Upright Green Late (August) ‘Haense Herms’ 100Upright Green Late (August)

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possibleto obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new plant.

The photograph in FIG. 1 on the first sheet shows the early developmentof red color in the leaves of the ‘Hot Rod’ plant in early spring.

The photograph in FIG. 2 on the second sheet shows the furtherdevelopment of red color and growth form in midsummer.

The photograph in FIG. 3 on the third sheet shows the color and growthform in late summer early fall.

The photograph in FIG. 4 shows the inflorescence of the ‘Hot Rod’ plantin late summer.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements of the new variety of Panicum describe two year old plantsgrown in full sun outdoor conditions in a trial garden located inPensacola, Fla. The following color references are based on the 2007edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except whencommon dictionary terms are used.

-   Parantage: Naturally-occurring chance seedling of Panicum virgatum.-   Propagation:    -   -   Method.—By division of the culms. Culm is erect, enclosed by            leaf sheath, 89 to 91 cm long with panicle and 0.5-3.5 mm in            diameter; internodes 8 to 12 cm in length; RHS Green Group            N138D.        -   Root description.—White, RHS NN155A, and fleshy when            emerging and tan, RHS 164D, when mature. 2-3 weeks to            initiate roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Fibrous.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant shape and habit.—Herbaceous perennial grass with an            upright vase shape and compact habit.        -   Plant size.—Foliage height at flowering is 91 cm from soil            base to top of the leaves and 23 cm wide at soil and 76 cm            at the widest point.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, sheathed, erect.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Aspect.—Flat.        -   Length.—26-34 cm.        -   Width.—1-1.2 cm.        -   Texture.—Upper and lower surfaces smooth and glaucous.        -   Color.—Top surface early season: RHS N187A mature foliage;            RHS N137A new emerging foliage. Underside early season: RHS            N187B mature foliage; RHS N137B New emerging foliage. Top            surface mid to late season: RHS 187A. Underside mid to late            season: RHS 187B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Fine textured, branched open panicles held            mostly above the foliage.        -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering from early August with            peak flower clusters in September. Panicle presence persists            through winter.        -   Panicle length.—20-25.5 cm.        -   Panicle width.—10-12 cm.        -   Panicle color.—RHS Green Group N138C.        -   Glumes.—Lower outside 1-2.2 mm long and 1.5 mm wide RHS            187A, upper 2-3.8 mm long.        -   Spikelet.—5.5-6 mm long.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Pedicel.—0.5 to 1 mm in length and 0.16 mm wide; RHS Green            Group 139D.        -   Lemma.—Lower 3.5 mm in length and 1.5 mm wide, RHS 187A;            upper 3.0 mm in length and 1.2 mm wide, RHS 187A.        -   Fruit.—2 to 2.5 mm in length and 1.5 mm wide, RHS 199B.        -   Pollen color.—RHS 173A.-   Pest and disease resistance: Similar to other Panicum species.    Mildly resistant to Panicum Rust, Puccinia emaculata. No other pests    or diseases were observed as is typical for this species.    -   -   Temperature tolerance.—USDA Zones 4-10.        -   Drought tolerance/resistance.—Drought resistant once mature            and established.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Panicum virgatumplant named ‘Hot Rod’ as illustrated and described.